Energy Island

The Port of Long Beach Energy Island Initiative is an innovative compilation of strategies that will provide reliability, resiliency, and economic competitiveness to the Long Beach port complex and its marine terminal tenants. Renewable energy technologies, other self-generation systems, controls, and energy storage will allow the Port to “island” operations from the local energy grid during times of emergency or outage. Additional advantages for Port tenants include stabilized energy costs and enhanced electrical grid performance. The entire Port community will benefit from the Port’s reduced demand for grid power, a lowered carbon footprint, and improved air quality as the equipment we use changes from diesel- to electricity-powered.

Education and Resources

The Port often contracts consultants to write reports which describe the evidence for Port-related energy concepts or technologies. Several of these reports are in the works and will be available to read by Jan. 1, 2016.

Funding and Project Opportunities

Early Energy Island Initiative planning includes a number of programs of interest to our tenants, vendors, and other stakeholders. As these programs go “live,” they will be described in this section of the website. Please check back periodically for updates.

Energy Efficiency Rebate Match Program –Click for more information

The Port of Long Beach is launching a new program offering its terminals rebates to encourage them to replace outdated, polluting and inefficient electrical equipment with energy-efficient technology.

The Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved the Energy Efficiency Rebate Match Program, creating a pool of $500,000 to reimburse Port tenants up to 100 percent of their equipment purchase costs. The Port's rebates would match Southern California Edison rebates for eligible energy-saving equipment but are capped at the total cost of the products.

Energy Technology Advancement Program (ETAP)Accepting Proposals – Available to Port tenants and vendors – Click for more information

If you are a Port tenant with an interest in demonstrating an emerging energy technology at your site, or vendor of emerging technology with good applicability to the seaport industry, you may be eligible for a funding partnership with the Port. The mission of the ETAP is to evaluate promising new technologies for their ability to enhance the Port’s energy efficiency, conservation, resiliency, and clean, renewable energy generation. Tenants who partner with vendors to demonstrate technologies will benefit from increased efficiency of operations, improved energy reliability, and the potential health and environmental benefits of reduced emissions. Participating vendors gain invaluable insight into the applicability of their equipment to Port operations by utilizing the ETAP as a platform, positively impacting business.

White Papers – Click for more information

Renewable Energy Technologies White Paper

Renewable energy is a critical component of the Port of Long Beach’s zero-emission future. While land use must be optimized for cargo-related uses, and the many moving parts on marine terminals present challenges to installing large, stationary renewable energy facilities, there are opportunities for clean, self-generation at the Port. This white paper evaluates current renewable energy technologies for applicability and effectiveness and serves to educate Port staff, decision makers, and the community about how the Port might use renewable energy to become greener and more resilient.

Fuel Cell Technology White Papers

Fuel cells have the ability to provide two applications of interest to the Port of Long Beach: stationary power generation and transportation applications. In order to fully understand these applications, the Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP) at UC Irvine was asked to describe fuel cell technology in the context of Port operations. APEP prepared two separate papers. The first is “Assessment of Fuel Cell Technology to Address Future Requirements at the Port of Long Beach” and characterizes the types of fuel cells, their commercial applications, space requirements, operation, and maintenance, as well as fuel cell resiliency and environmental benefits. The second paper is “The Science of Fuel Cells” and describes how different fuel cells convert chemical energy into electricity.

Energy Storage Technologies White Paper

The storage of energy – as electrons, hydrogen, or other types of fuel – will be a critical component of the Port’s energy program moving forward. Stored energy improves resiliency by reserving power for use during a grid outage. It helps to allocate intermittent renewable energy, such as wind and solar, to times when power is needed. And energy storage can be a cost-effective strategy for lower grid power demand during periods of highest electricity rates. In order to understand how the different energy storage technologies work, the pros and cons of each, and the applicability to Port operations, Port of Long Beach staff researched and compiled the latest information about energy storage techncologies. You can find the report here. Staff received support and review from Port electrical engineers and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Microgrid Technology White Paper

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) defines a microgrid as:

“A group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources with clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid [and can] connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid connected or island mode.”

Microgrid systems control the flow of energy from storage (such as batteries) or generation (such as solar panels) to ensure that the power can be used by desired equipment at a particular time. In the event of a grid outage, the microgrid can direct stored or onsite-generated power to critical assets needed for Port operations. A microgrid could route stored power to equipment during peak rate periods, which saves money. Muni-Fed–Antea Group Energy Partners compiled information about microgrid technology and its application to Port operations. The paper covers the framework of the technology; relevant uses; design considerations; costs and staffing for large, centralized microgrid; and some of the regulatory considerations for owning a large microgrid that services multiple users.